Joe Newman Soft Swingin' Jazz CD

The title says it all. Soft Swinging Jazz pairs Joe Newman with organist Shirley Scott, bassist Eddie Jones, and Charlie Persip for a mellow, lovely session unique within the trumpeter's catalog. For starters, Newman assumes vocal duties on a handful of cuts, proving himself a fine crooner. Moreover, the spacious, nuanced arrangements afford him the room to summon some of his most intimate but impassioned solos. Not to mention that Scott's an uncommonly sympathetic collaborator, shaping and underlining the melodies to create rolling, contoured grooves with the texture of velvet. The album was reissued in 2007 on the Lonehill label alongside the subsequent The Happy Cats. ~ Jason Ankeny

The first album present an unusual and stimulating quartet directed by Newman and featuring the excellent and forceful organist Shirley Scott, with bassist Eddie Jones, drummer Charlie Persip and in one title Ernie Wilkins on piano. The other album offer a sextet date with two guests of honor saxophonist and flautist Frank Wess and trombonist Frank Rehak and a great rhythm section Johnny Acea on piano, Eddie Jones on bass, and Connie Kay on drums interpreting magnificent arrangements by Ernie Wilkins, Al Cohn and Quincy Jones. Disconforme. 2005.